Karanji Lake

Karanji Lake, also called Fountain Lake, is a lake and nature park in Mysuru next to the zoo. This guide covers birds, boating and the zoo combo ticket.

Karanji Lake, also known as Fountain Lake, is a lake in the city of Mysuru surrounded by a nature park. It lies beside the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, and the zoo sells a combo ticket that covers both. On the lake, photographs on Wikimedia Commons show an island with nesting herons and ibises, an oriental darter drying its wings, pedal boats and a central fountain, with Chamundi Hill in the background.

The lake is popular with bird watchers and with families. The surrounding park has paths and, according to Wikipedia, a natural setting that draws butterflies as well as water birds. Visitors can watch birds from the edge of the lake, and pedal boating is shown in photographs, though rates and rules were not confirmed.

Its location a short distance from Mysore Palace makes it an easy add-on after the zoo. Early morning is best for birds and softer light. Carry binoculars if you have them, and keep a distance from nesting birds. Allow one to two hours.